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ANOTHER poll has confirmed a slide in support for the federal Labor Party.

The weekly Essential poll of almost 2000 people, released on Monday and using two-week averages, showed the Coalition extending it's two-party-preferred lead over the government by two points to 56-44%.

It mirrored the result of last week's Nielsen poll, which had the effect of fuelling Labor leadership speculation.

Labor's primary vote was down one-point to 34% in the Essential poll, while the Coalition's was up two points to 49%.

And the end of the Greens-Labor alliance, announced by Greens Leader Christine Milne last week, appears to have had no effect on the party.

The Greens' primary vote remained steady at 9%, where it has been for a month.

Labor strategists will be sweating on the next Newspoll, due out on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, 57% of respondents said Julia Gillard's government did not deserve to be re-elected when Australians head to the polls on September 14.

Just 26% thought Labor and Ms Gillard should get another chance, while 7% said they didn't know.

Essential also asked whether the Tony Abbott-led opposition was ready to govern, with 36% answering in the affirmative, 45% saying no and 19% indicating they did not know.